The approval on second reading of supplemental budget number 5 of the province of Negros Occidental, of P39,945,542.62, during floor deliberations by the Sangguniang Panlalawigan, was left hanging yesterday, when the SP adjourned its regular session for a caucus on committee reports.

However, the SP, on motion of Board Member Salvador Escalante,chairman of the SP committee on Finance and Appropriations, approved the proposed 2012 supplemental budget number four of the province Economic Enterprise Development Department, of P7,481,958, on its third and final reading.

Supplemental budget number 5, with the an original amount of P58,145,542 was reduced to P39,945,542.62, because some of the items, including the P17.6 million Provincial Irrigation Development Program of the Office of the Provincial Agriculturist for 2011, and P1.9 million for European Union project implemented by the Provincial Environment Management Office, were erroneously included, Provincial Budget Officer Jose Percival Salado had said.

The P19.5 million was removed from the proposed supplemental budget, and led to the submission of the revised supplemental budget of P39,945,542.62 to the SP, that was approved on its first reading last week.

Board Member Manuel Frederick Ko also questioned the P800,000 budget for travelling expenses as well as repair and maintenance of motor vehicles assigned to SP members, in the revised supplemental budget number 5.

During the SP regular session, yesterday Escalante moved for the floor discussions of the supplemental budget number 5, which was supported by Ko.

Board Members Mae Javellana and Renato Gustilo, however, suggested that it should be tackled during the committee hearing.

Board Member Emilio Yulo III suggested that it should be taken up in the later part of the regular session, as they had to deliberate on ordinances endorsed by committees on Laws, Public Safety, Environment, Health, Negros Child and Disasters and Natural Calamities.

However, the session was adjourned for a caucus on committee reports, before the deliberation of the supplemental budget number 5 took place.

The supplemental budget number 5 includes appropriations for the peace and order fund, terminal leave benefits, travelling, insurance, training and electricity expenses, miscellaneous personnel benefits, janitorial services, consultancy, repair and maintenance of Governor's Office, purchase of office equipment and computers, support to Northern Negros and Mt, Kanlaon conservation program and Bantay Bukid Brigade, among others.* GPB

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